Improvement in needle-electrodes for electro-surgical uses



PATENT OFFICE.

JEROME KIDDER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN NEEDLE-ELECTRODES FOR ELECTRO-SURGICAL USES.

Speciication forming part of Letters Patent No. 122,031, dated December 19, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JEROME KTDDEE, of the city, county, and State ot' New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Needle-Electrodes for Electro-Surgical Uses; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, and in which- Figure l represents a longitudinal exterior view of my improved needle-electrode, with the wire which connects it with the battery or apparatus for producing electricity attached to it. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section oi' the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both iigures.

My im proved needleelectrode for t-he treatment otl tumors and other electro-surgical uses has its shank made of less dimensions in its cross-section than the tip or conducting-iorward portion of the electrode, whereby the insulating cover on the outside ot' the body of the shank may be ap plied, so that it does not project laterally beyond the tip to interfere with the free passage of the insulating portion through the skin and adjacent tissues when entering the elect-rode within the tumor or part to be treated. This insulation of the shank is made ot' hard vulcanized India rubber, (vnlcanite,) which is preferable to all other insulating materials on account of its hardness and clear-ness, and of its being capable ot' a high polish, which will enable it to enter the flesh without producing great pain. y Said shank, furtl'lermore, is made with an eye at its outer end, which answers alike as a handle for the electrode and as a convenient means for attaching the wire by which connection is made with the battery or other electrical apparatus. The tip or conducting portion of the electrode also, instead of being made sharp at its point, is of a rounded sha-pe at its outer extremity, which serves to convey the electrical current more positively to the seat of disease or part to be treated, and, by first making the necessary puncture tor the entry ot' the electrode with a suitably-shaped steel needle, also reduces the pain of applying the electrode.

In the accompanying drawing, b represents the shank of the electrode, of less dimensions in its transverse section than the tip or forward-conducting portion c, which latter is here supposed to be of platinum, and may be made by drilling a piece ot' platinum wire or forming it of a piece of platinum tube and soldering a point or solid piece in it and applying the tip to the inner end of the shank. Either of these is a convenient mode ot' making the tip when itis formed separate from the shank. d is the insulating-cover, ot' hard vulcanized India rubber, applied to the reduced shank so that it does not project laterally beyond the tip, as and for the purpose hereinbef'ore specified. e is the eye at the outer end ofthe shank, serving as a handle for the needleelectrode and as a means for attaching the wire j' by which connection is made with the battery.

The point ofthe tip c is made rounded, as represented in the drawing, for the purposes or reasons hereinbet'ore assigned.

What is here claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1. A needle-electrode having its shank of less transverse dimensions than its tip, and its insulating-cover applied to the shank so as not to project laterally beyond the tip at the junction or approximate position ofthe tip and cover, substantially as specified.

2. The needle-electrode formed with an eye, c, at the outer end of the shank, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

3. A needle-electrode with a rounded point, essentially as described.

4. A needle-electrode for electro-surgical uses composed ot' a tip, c, formed with a rounded point, a reduced shank, b, having an eye, c, at its outer end, and an iiisulating-cover, d, arranged so as not to project laterally beyond the tip, substantially as shown and described.

JEROME KIDDER.

Witnesses HENRY T. BROWN,

R. E. RABEAU. (50) 

